The failure meant that people activating/validating Windows Vista received notifications that their software is counterfeit. Oh, those pesky pop-up counterfeit software reminders can be so annoying.

Microsoft support forums were abuzz with frustrated Windows users, and that’s where the company gave its response, too. Classic: Phil Lui, WGA program manager, pledging to “resolve this issue before I go to sleepwhether or not it is Tuesday I sleep.” His determination, and willingness to blow off an August weekend, is admirable.

The U.S. software piracy rateaccording to Business Software Alliance, some analyst studies and Microsoft datais less than 25 percent. Presumably, the percentage is much lower for Windows, since most people obtain the software on new PCs. For argument’s sake, let’s say the U.S. Windows piracy rate is around 20 percent (and I think that number is too high). That would mean Microsoft penalizes eight out of 10 users by assuming everyone is a crook. The presumption of the check is guiltotherwise why validate?